Jeremiah 1 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
1:1
1. Anathoth--a town in Benjamin, twenty stadia, that is, two or three miles north of Jerusalem; now Anata (compare Is 10:30, and the context, Is 10:28-32). One of the four cities allotted to the Kohathites in Benjamin (Jos 21:18). Compare 1Ki 2:26, 27; a stigma was cast thenceforth on the whole sacerdotal family resident there; this may be alluded to in the words here, "the priests ... in Anathoth." God chooses "the weak, base, and despised things ... to confound the mighty."
1:2–3
2-3. Jehoiakim ... Josiah ... Zedekiah--Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are omitted for they reigned only three months each. The first and last of the kings under whom each prophet prophesied are often thus specified in the general title. See on these kings, and Jeremiah's life, my Introduction. thirteenth ... of his reign--(Jr 25:3). fifth month--(2Ki 25:8).
1:4–10
4-10. Jeremiah's call to the prophetical office. unto me--other manuscripts read "to him"; but English Version probably represents the true Hebrew text; this inscription was doubtless made by Jeremiah himself.
1:11
11. rod--shoot, or branch. almond tree--literally, "the wakeful tree," because it awakes from the sleep of winter earlier than the other trees, flowering in January, and bearing fruit in March; symbol of God's early execution of His purpose; Jr 1:12, "hasten My word" (compare Am 8:3).
1:12
12. hasten--rather, "I will be wakeful as to My word," c.; alluding to Jr 1:11, "the wakeful tree" [Maurer].
1:13
13. Another vision, signifying what is the "word" about to be "performed," and by what instrumentality. seething--literally, "blown under"; so boiling by reason of the flame under it kept brisk by blowing. An Oriental symbol of a raging war. toward--rather, "from the north." Literally, "from the face of the region situated towards the north" (compare Jr 1:14, 15) [Maurer]. The pot in the north rested on one side, its mouth being about to pour forth its contents southwards, namely, on Judea. Babylon, though east of Judea, was regarded by the Hebrews as north, because they appropriated the term "east" to Arabia-Deserta, stretching from Palestine to the Euphrates; or rather [Bochart], the reference here is not to the site, but to the route of the Babylonians; not being able to cross the desert, they must enter the Holy Land by the northern frontier, through Riblah in Hamath (Jr 39:5; 52:9).
1:14
14. break forth--"shall disclose itself." Out of the north--(Jr 4:6; 6:1, 22; 10:22; 25:9; Eze 26:7). The Chaldeans did not cast off the yoke of Assyria till several years after, under Nabopolassar, 625 B.C.; but long previously they had so increased as to threaten Assyria, which was now grown weak, and other neighboring peoples.
1:15
15. families--the tribes or clans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification of these aggravates the picture of calamity (Jr 25:9). throne at ... gates--the usual place of administering justice. The conquering princes will set up their tribunal there (Jr 39:3, 5; 52:9). Or the reference is to the military pavilion (Jr 43:10) [Maurer].
1:16
16. utter--pronounce. The judicial sentences, pronounced against the Jews by the invading princes, would be virtually the "judgments of God" (Is 10:5). works--idols.
1:17
17. gird ... loins--resolutely prepare for thy appointed task. Metaphor from the flowing robes worn in the East, which have to be girt up with a girdle, so as not to incommode one, when undertaking any active work (Job 38:3; Lu 12:35; 1Pe 1:13). dismayed ... confound--the same Hebrew word; literally, "to break." Be not dismayed at their faces (before them), lest I make thee dismayed before their faces (before them), that is, "lest I should permit thee to be overcome by them" (compare Jr 49:37).
1:18
18. defenced city, c.--that is, I will give thee strength which no power of thine enemies shall overcome (Jr 6:27; 15:20; Is 50:7; 54:17; Lu 21:15; Ac 6:10). walls--plural, to express the abundant strength to be given him. De Rossi's'S manuscripts read singular, "wall." people of the land--the general masses, as distinguished from the princes and priests.